Since Goris7 first described the occurrence of a large solitary parathyroid cyst, 23 additional cases1 have been found in the literature, the largest series of which was reported by Crile2 in 1953 when he described 5 cases of significant parathyroid cysts. It is of interest that most pathology texts mention only the presence of microscopic cysts of the parathyroid glands.

Although a rare entity, large solitary cysts are readily identified at the operative table. They are invariably located in the region of the lower pole of the thyroid gland. There may be filmy adhesions, but the cysts are not a part of the thyroid gland. The thin walls contain a translucent water-like fluid. Because of their close proximity to the thyroid gland these are usually thought to be adenomata or cysts. Pressure symptoms may be severe enough to cause partial respiratory obstruction, either by direct effect on